How much time (as an estimate) be given to someone charged with engaging in organized criminal actvity?

The best way to have handled this would have been to have the person's lawyer negotiate a deal PRE-Plead so that you would have a sure thing now. Usually cops cannot bind a DA's hands. Judges also do not have to go along with the DA's recommendation. Hence by spilling his guts to Police without the help of a competent experienced Criminal Trial Lawyer, the defendant herein has really opened himself up without a safety net. With that said, if his testimony will be necessary to back up what he told police, then he can still get a deal but maybe not as strong as he would have had before he put his faith in the Police Dept. Nevertheless it would be foolhardy for the DA to not help him out if he really provided useful information. The Lesson Here is: EVERY POLICE ENCOUNTER REQUIRES THE ADVICE OF A COMPETENT EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY. Criminal law does not lend itself to DYI. Every error a layman makes once contacted as a suspect by police, even the most innocent error will burn that layman. Don't do it. Let the attorney handle it. It may cost more but in the long run, it will turnout far better.

Organized criminal activity with priors that are somewhat related may lead you into RICO territory. These sorts of cases are generally very complex and can lead to significant amounts of jail or prison time. I agree with my colleague above. DO NOT go this alone, get a defense attorney on it this instant.

Waco, Texas: You ask "How much time will be given to someone charged with engaging in organized crime?" That's a good question, but it's completely impossible to answer without a full understanding of the facts. Organized crime can be prosecuted in state court, or federal court. If it's a state court prosecution, probation could be an option. If it's the feds, all bets are off. 4 or 5 years is possible. 120 years is not out of the question. Not to mention that the case(s) could possibly be dismissed, or the person found not guilty. So the penalty could be none (for a not guilty or dismissal), probation, a few years in the pen, or several years, including (effectively) life. Not much of an answer, is it? Sorry - that's the best I can do without any of the facts! Best of luck to you in any case.